SB 2518: Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition Package; Law Enforcement Officers; Assault; Penalties
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-04
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-03-12: Referred to JHA, referral sheet 17)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill makes recklessly causing serious or substantial bodily injury to an on-duty law enforcement officer a first-degree assault and raises penalties for first-degree assault against officers. It classifies the offense as a class C felony and requires at least a five-year prison term or five years’ probation that includes at least six months in jail, and it requires at least one year in prison without suspension for someone who recklessly causes serious or substantial injury to an officer.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Includes recklessly causing serious or substantial bodily injury to a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of duty as the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree. Increases penalties for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)
Establishes appropriate sanctions for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree.
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2518 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
S.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that nationwide data demonstrate an increase in the number of law enforcement officers killed and assaulted. Local police officers are facing serious dangers in their daily work. Furthermore, recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers is a significant and growing concern across our state and nation. The frequency of assaults against law enforcement officers discourages applicants from joining the force and makes it difficult to retain senior officers.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish appropriate sanctions, distinguish penalties based on the level of the bodily injury sustained by the officer, and deter future crimes for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree by:
(1) Including recklessly causing serious or substantial bodily injury to a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of duty as the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree; and
(2) Increasing penalties for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree.
SECTION 2. Section 707-712.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§707-712.5 Assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree. (1) A person commits the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree if the person:
(a) Intentionally or knowingly causes bodily
injury to a law enforcement officer who is engaged in the performance of duty;
[or]
(b) Recklessly or negligently causes, with a
dangerous instrument, bodily injury to a law enforcement officer who is engaged
in the performance of duty[.]; or
(c) Recklessly causes serious or substantial bodily injury to a law enforcement officer who is engaged in the performance of duty.
(2) Assault of a law enforcement officer in the first degree is a class C felony. The court shall, at a minimum, sentence the person who has been convicted of this offense to:
(a) An indeterminate term of imprisonment of five years, pursuant to section 706-660; or
(b) Five years probation, with conditions to
include a term of imprisonment of not less than [thirty days] six
months without possibility of suspension of sentence[.]; provided
that a person convicted under subsection (1)(c) shall be subject to a term of
imprisonment of not less than one year without possibility of suspension of
sentence."
SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on March 22, 2075.
Report Title:
Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition Package; Law Enforcement Officers; Assault; Penalties
Description:
Includes recklessly causing serious or substantial bodily injury to a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of duty as the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree. Increases penalties for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2518 |
|
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that nationwide data demonstrate an increase in the number of law enforcement officers killed and assaulted. Local police officers are facing serious dangers in their daily work. Furthermore, recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers is a significant and growing concern across our state and nation. The frequency of assaults against law enforcement officers discourages applicants from joining the force and makes it difficult to retain senior officers.
The purpose of this Act is to establish appropriate sanctions, distinguish penalties based on the level of the bodily injury sustained by the officer, and deter future crimes for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree.
SECTION 2. Section 707-712.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§707-712.5 Assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree. (1) A person commits the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree if the person:
(a) Intentionally or knowingly causes bodily
injury to a law enforcement officer who is engaged in the performance of duty; [or]
(b) Recklessly or negligently causes, with a
dangerous instrument, bodily injury to a law enforcement officer who is engaged
in the performance of duty[.]; or
(c) Recklessly causes serious or substantial bodily injury to a law enforcement officer who is engaged in the performance of duty.
(2) Assault of a law enforcement officer in the first degree is a class C felony. The court shall, at a minimum, sentence the person who has been convicted of this offense to:
(a) An indeterminate term of imprisonment of five years, pursuant to section 706-660; or
(b) Five years probation, with conditions to
include a term of imprisonment of not less than [thirty days] six
months without possibility of suspension of sentence[.]; provided
that a person convicted under subsection (1)(c) shall be subject to a term of
imprisonment of not less than one year without possibility of suspension of sentence."
SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
By Request |
Report Title:
Hawaii Law Enforcement Coalition Package; Law Enforcement Officers; Assault; Penalties
Description:
Establishes appropriate sanctions for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Mar 12, 2026 | Referred to JHA, referral sheet 17 |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 253) in amended form (SD 1). |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | 48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2784) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). |
| Feb 24, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard. |
| Feb 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-24-26 10:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. |
| Feb 10, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC. |
| Feb 9, 2026 | Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2126) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC. |
| Feb 10, 2026 | Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2126) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC. |
| Feb 2, 2026 | The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in PSM were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Fukunaga, Lee, C., Hashimoto, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-02-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Referred to PSM, JDC. |
| Jan 23, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Jan 23, 2026 | Introduced. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 10, 2026 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Feb 24, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
|
| Feb 2, 2026 | The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| Department of Law Enforcement | ** Support | |
| Department of the Attorney General | ** Support | |
| Department of the Attorney General | *** Support | Feb 24, 2026 |
| Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu | ** Support | |
| Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Police Department | ** Support | |
| Honolulu Police Department | *** Support | Feb 2, 2026 |
| Kauaʻi Police Department | ** Support | |
| Maui Police Department | ** Support | |
| Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii | ** Support | |
| Office of the Public Defender | ** Against | |
| SHOPO (Hawaii) | *** Support | Feb 2, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2784
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2518
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2518 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish appropriate sanctions for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui, Kauaʻi Police Department, Hawaiʻi Police Department, and two individuals.
Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.
Your Committee finds that the State, like many jurisdictions in the United States, has seen a rise in the frequency and severity of attacks against law enforcement officers. For example, in 2024 more than three hundred police officers were assaulted in the State and the Honolulu Police Department observed a twenty percent increase in assaults on its officers between January and October compared to the same period the year before. The stronger penalties established by this measure will serve as a powerful deterrent for potential offenders.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Inserting an effective date of March 22, 2075, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2518, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2518, S.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,
|
|
|
________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair |
|
|
|
|
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2126
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2518
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2518 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to:
(1) Include recklessly causing serious or substantial bodily injury to a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of duty as an assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree; and
(2) Increase penalties for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Law Enforcement, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui, Maui Police Department, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaii, and seventeen individuals.
Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of the Public Defender and seven individuals.
Your Committee finds that law enforcement officers frequently encounter dangerous situations while maintaining public safety. These already dangerous situations are exacerbated by individuals who either deliberately or recklessly cause harm to officers while those officers are performing their law enforcement duties. Such individuals not only pose a danger to law enforcement officers, but also threaten the public by inhibiting law enforcement officers' ability to perform important public safety functions. This threat of harm to law enforcement officers contributes to ongoing recruitment and retention challenges in the State. By increasing penalties for causing harm to law enforcement officers, this measure promotes public safety by providing additional tools to deter and punish potential offenders.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2518 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,
|
|
|
________________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair |
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Testimony PDF
|
|---|---|
| Feb 24, 2026 | SB2518_TESTIMONY_JDC_02-24-26_.PDF |
| Feb 2, 2026 | SB2518_TESTIMONY_PSM_02-02-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
33SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
8MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):